I would add to B. Miller’s endorsement of Allcraft. I have been
buying from them since 1996, when Tevel and Sarah Herbstmann bought
the business and turned it around. Of particular note is their
extensive inventory of wonderful German raising and forming hammers;
excellent German red chaser’s pitch; a good selection of Japanese
chasing tools; a marvelous range of good quality pliers [box joint],
including some that are smaller than I have seen elsewhere and which
see a lot of action on my bench. Several years ago, when inventories
of raising stakes had fallen all over north America because Dixon
steel was no longer making them, Tevel had patterns made and now
produces an Allcraft line of traditional silversmithing stakes,
including wonderful sinusoidal stakes and flatware stakes. These
come with a superb finish and a coat of paint to protect the
non-working surfaces. Allcraft also imports the Latham enamels from
England, including an scrumptious orange that I have never found
anywhere else.
Allcraft is a small family operation that strives to do the best for
its customers that it can. They are especially interested in helping
beginners, and give a generous student discount, even to those who
are enrolled in weekend workshops and similar programs instead of
formal metals programs at colleges and universities.
I have no other affiliation with Allcraft except my satisfaction
with their service and products. I send my students to them
frequently.
Anne Hollerbach